Shawn Ferguson, PhD
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About
Titles
Associate Professor of Cell Biology and of Neuroscience
Biography
Dr. Ferguson earned BSc (Biochemistry-Nutrition) and MSc (Physiology) degrees from the University of Ottawa followed by a PhD in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University in 2004. From 2004-2010, he was a postdoctoral fellow with Pietro De Camilli in the Department of Cell Biology at Yale. As a postdoctoral fellow, he studied the membrane trafficking mechanisms that allow neurons to make and recycle the synaptic vesicles which are used for the storage and release of neurotransmitters that support communication between neurons. Although centered on the topic of neuronal cell biology, this research resulted in many additional collaborative studies that focused on how similar membrane trafficking mechanisms are adapted to the needs of other cell types. In 2010, Dr. Ferguson was recruited into a faculty position in the Department of Cell Biology at Yale where he currently holds the rank of Associate Professor (tenured). The long-term goal of research in the Ferguson lab is to understand the cell biological mechanisms that allow neurons to meet the challenges imposed by their extreme size, polarity, longevity and specialized membrane trafficking demands related to synaptic transmission. Given the major role played by lysosomes in supporting neuronal health through the clearance of misfolded proteins and damaged organelles, the lab has focused significant efforts to understand how the status of lysosomes is sensed and how cells respond to ensure that lysosome function meets ongoing changes in cellular demand. The ability of lysosomes to degrade misfolded proteins and damaged organelles is of critical importance for neuronal survival as defects in such processes contribute to the development of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Ongoing neurodegenerative disease projects in the lab address the role of lysosomes in Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Parkinson’s disease. More recently, the identification of human mutations in the MAPK8IP3, a gene studied by the Ferguson lab in the context of axonal transport of lysosomes within neurons, was identified as the cause of a human neurodevelopmental disorder. To address this problem, Dr. Ferguson and his team are working with The Wolverine Foundation to advance research and discover novel therapeutic approaches to treat the neuro-developmental disease caused by genetic variations in the gene MAPK8IP3. In particular, the Ferguson Lab uses human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a platform for the identification of candidate therapeutic strategies to treat disabilities arising from MAPK8IP3 deficiency.
Appointments
Cell Biology
Associate Professor TenurePrimaryNeuroscience
Associate Professor on TermSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Biochemistry, Quantitative Biology, Biophysics and Structural Biology (BQBS)
- Cell Biology
- Cytoskeletal Dynamics
- Dean's Workshops
- Developmental Cell Biology and Genetics
- Diabetes Research Center
- Ferguson Lab
- Membrane Traffic
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development
- Neuroscience
- Wu Tsai Institute
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- PhD
- Vanderbilt University (2004)
- MS
- University of Ottawa (1999)
- BS
- University of Ottawa (1997)
Research
Overview
Specific projects under development include:
1. Understanding signaling mechanisms that coordinate lysosomal function (macromolecule degradation) with lysosomal biogenesis. How does a cell match lysosomal capacity with demand? How are signals transduced from the interior of the lysosome to the cytoplasm?
2. Investigation of mechanisms that adapt lysosome function to the unique demands of neurons. In particular, we are highly interested in the mechanisms that support movement of lysosomes over the long distances that are required to provide optimal lysosome function in axons.
3. Investigation of the contributions of lysosome dysfunction to neurodegenerative diseases. We are actively working on projects related to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia as well as a neurodevelopmental disorder arising from mutations in the MAPK8IP3 gene.
4. Determining how macrophages and microglia adapt the function of their lysosomes to support efficient degradation and recycling of materials delivered to them by phagocytosis.
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Links & Media
Media
Microtubules in a human neuron
Confocal micrograph of microtubules (SPY-tubulin label) in a human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical neuron.
News
- July 25, 2023Source: Yale News
Study Reveals Insights Into Link Between a Genetic Mutation and Parkinson’s
- June 12, 2023Source: PNAS
A faulty brake on lysosome degradative activity may confer Parkinson's disease risk
- June 01, 2021
Shawn Ferguson appointed as Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Department of Cell Biology
- February 17, 2021Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
How do our cells sense the availability of cationic amino acids?